Bucs 51, Saints 27 I see more than one observer/insider type saying Dennis Allen has lost the locker room, and after that second half yesterday, its hard to disagree. That was 1970's era level of bad on the Saints' part. What's most disturbing of all is the missed tackles. To give up the second highest total of rushing yardage in franchise history to a team's 2nd and 3rd backs is inexcusable. Bobby Hebert pointed out that the top 5, top 5! tacklers yesterday in terms of number of tackles, were defensive backs. The defensive line is giving us absolutely nothing, no resistance against the run, and absolutely no pressure on the QB without a blitz call. No point in rehashing the injuries on offense, Rattler was effective when they got him out of the pocket in the first half, so naturally they went to straight dropbacks and virtually no roll outs in the 2nd half, and Bowles made him look like the newbie he is. But there's talent there; will be interesting to see him with a healthy first unit around him, which I doubt will ever happen. The fire DA crowd is getting louder and louder, but I don't see it happening, not how that front office works. Certainly won't happen during a short week.
18 players - more than a third of the roster - on the injury report yesterday! Craziest of all is Khalen Sanders added to the report...this is at least the third time this year a player has initially appeared on the injury report on the final day of the practice week, which is supposed to be just for walk throughs, with no contact and no pads. To say the staff in charge of making sure the team is physically prepared to play football and work through injuries is beyond incompetent is an understatement. Throwback jerseys tonight. Seems appropriate...like Archie Manning, Spencer Rattler will be running for his life and have no weapons to throw the ball to if he survives.
ESPN REPORTING DENNIS ALLEN HAS BEEN FIRED THIS MORNING. Update: Special teams coordinator/assistant head coach Darren Rizzi is the interim head coach.
Panthers 23, Saints 22 After one of the horrific losses of this 7-game losing streak, Mickey Loomis told us we have to "look past the score." Okay, let's look deeper into this one-point loss to who was previously the worst team in the NFL. Over the last 20 years, teams that outgained their opponent by 150+ yards, gained 100+ yards rushing, and won the turnover battle, were 275-0... until yesterday. Now 275-1. Also, in the Super Bowl era, teams that gave up 425+ yards of total offense while gaining less than 200 yards, and losing the turnover battle, never won....until yesterday.
Marshon Lattimore traded to the Redsk - uh, Commanders, along with a 5th round pick, in exchange for a 3rd, a 4th, and a 6th that was ours to begin with, but had been sent off in a previous trade. We'll still be on the hook for about $30 million in dead cap space next year. Loomis got fleeced.
Saints 20, Falcons 17 Any win over the Failcans is worth celebrating. In this case, it wasn't any remarkable improvement in execution or technique (Rizzi changed the duties of some defensive coaches but that didn't improve tackling very much) but both sides of the ball were able to do just enough to result in a win. Alvin Kamara is no doubt kicking himself this morning; played a great game but dropped a sure touchdown pass in the last two minutes that would have sealed the win and instead gave ATL one final chance at a last minute tie/win. Fortunately the defense stepped up when it was needed. Cleveland next, then the bye week.
Saints 35, Browns 14 Shouldn't have been even this close. Saints moved the ball at will most of the game, but failed to close the deal on a few early drives. Not surprising that Jameis Winston came in and lit the Saints secondary up; he had a couple of TD throws and nearly 400 yards, no turnovers. Saints simply wore down Cleveland's defense. Taysom Hill with a career day despite turning the ball over twice. Believe it or not, the division championship is still in sight, but the next four games should decide it. After the bye this week, we get the Rams, then at the Giants, home for the Commanders and then a prime time game at the Packers.
Saw that if Jerry fires McCarthy that he would be high on the list for Loomis! I've been saying for a while that I don't like Loomis, if he hires that asshole it will be extremely disappointing! Get that paper bags from the pantry, we will need them.
